Reunion
"Reunion" is the trio Jim Pike, Gary Pike, and Ric de Azevedo. Jim was the organizer and a founding member of the famed "Lettermen" in 1960 with Bobby Engemann and Tony Butala. Jim's younger brother Gary joined the "Lettermen" replacing retiring Bobby Engemann in 1967. Jim retired from the Lettermen in 1975. In 1983, Jim and Bobby invited Ric to join them in creating "Reunion." In 1997 Gary joined Reunion replacing Bobby Engemann once again.
"Reunion" is the trio Jim Pike, Gary Pike, and Ric de Azevedo. Jim was the organizer and a founding member of the famed "Lettermen" in 1960 with Bobby Engemann and Tony Butala. Jim's younger brother Gary joined the "Lettermen" replacing retiring Bobby Engemann in 1968. Jim retired from the Lettermen in 1975. In 1983, Jim and Bobby invited Ric to join them in creating "Reunion." In 1997 Gary joined Reunion replacing Bobby Engemann once again.
Jim was born November 6, 1936 in St. Louis, Missouri and raised in Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, and Salmon, Idaho. Jim left the Lettermen in 1975 because he lost his voice. He spoke in whispers for years that followed. The doctors told him that he would never sing again. In 1982, he was called to be a councilor to the bishop of his ward who happened to be Ric's brother Lex. But Jim was extremely apprehensive about speaking because of his voice. His stake president promised him that as long as he was serving the Lord he would be understood. When Jim first stood to address the ward and to bear his testimony as the new councilor, to his shocking surprise, his voice opened up and he spoke in rich normal tones. His wife Sue started crying, and it was a testimony builder for all. From this experience, Jim was encouraged to sing again. Jim and Sue have one daughter Kelly who is autistic, but also sings beautifully. Jim and Sue live in Big Bear Lake, California.
Gary was born July 31, 1944 in Twin Falls, Idaho and raised in Idaho Falls and Salmon, Idaho. Gary and his wife Sharon had three children. Sharon was later diagnosed with Leukemia. Gary prayed intensely and faithfully for her life, but she died on July 5, 2004. Some of Gary's unbelieving friends chided him with questions like, "What do you think of God now?" Gary responded that he was accepting of Heavenly Father's decision to take her; he realized that she was needed on the other side. Gary further stated that for those who believe in God, the sting of death is a little easier to accept because we realize that we will be reunited later. Sue later introduced Gary to Becky while visiting Jim and Sue's ward. Gary and Becky were married in 2005. Becky has 5 adult children from a previous marriage, the youngest is attending BYU Idaho. Gary and Becky live in Sun Valley Hills, California.
Ric was born May 10, 1947 in and raised in Studio City, California. He was a member of the famed "King Family" television program in the 1960s and 70s. Ric and his wife Anna have 2 children. Ric is the brother of composer Lex de Azevedo, and sees himself as the comic relief of Reunion. Most of his teen years, Ric was not religiously involved. But when Lex asked him to be in the cast of his stage production of Saturday's Warrior, he became very close to other members of the cast who helped him to understand the importance of including the Gospel in his life. This is where he met Anna, and they were later married in 1975. Ric and Anna live in Fruit Heights, Utah.
Bobby Engemann was born February 19, 1935 in Highland Park, Michigan and was raised in Livonia, Michigan and Van Nuys, California. He later served as a missionary for two years in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. It was during that time when Bob committed his life to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He married Betty in 1961, and they have 4 children. He retired from the Lettermen in 1967 because their concerts required too much time away from their young and growing family. Bobby joined the BYU Development staff to raise funds for BYU facilities and student programs. When their children were grown, he wanted to sing again, and joined with Jim in forming Reunion. Bobby retired from Reunion in 1997 because of declining health. Bobby and Betty live in Provo, Utah.
